Ottoman Empire Essays - Bektashi Order, Infantry, Islam And Violence

Ottoman Empire Around 1293 the chieftain of a nomadic Turkish tribe named Osman, founded an empire that would endure almost six hundred years. As this empire grew by conquering lands of the Byzantine Empire and beyond, it came to include, at its height, all of Asia Minor, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania, Egypt, Crete, Cyprus, Palestine, and North Africa through Algeria; parts of Hungry, Austria, Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, U.A.E., and Syria. The elite tactics and fearsome fighting of the well trained Janissary Corps helped make the Ottoman Empire one of the largest in the worlds history. -1- The first army of the Ottoman Empire was made up Gazis, Turkish faith fighters. They were effective against small countries and principalities, but were not always reliable. (J.F. VonHamer-Purgstal 771) For example, the original Ottoman state was very close to Constantinople, the capital of the struggling Byzantine Empire, it was not captured until 1453. At the time of its formation the Ott oman state could not defeat the defending armies of Constantinople due to its small and untrained army. (Bossenbrook 504) In addition, when the Ottomans went to face the larger and more powerful army of the Tatar Empire, under the leadership of Tamerlane, the Gazis deserted. Left with an army made of Christian vassals, the Ottomans fell to the Tatar army. (J.F. VonHamer-Purgstal 771) Since the Gazis proved to be unreliable Sultan Murad I around 1371 thought it necessary to build up an army that would have superior fighting power and be loyal to him. He began to build up the power of various non-Turkish groups in his service, particularly those composed of Christian slaves and converts to Islam. (J.F. VonHamer-Purgstal 771) -2- This new military infantry was well organized and trained; it was called the Janissary Corps. (J.F. VonHamer-Purgstal 773) These Janissary warriors were mostly composed of Christians or Jews who had converted to Islam. They were brought up in the Janissary cam p from about the age of 5. They were trained to be fearsome warriors, although some were trained to be administrators. Most of the Janissary soldiers were in the cavalry. The cavalry was one of the main keys to the Ottomans many victories. The Janissary Corps soldiers were paid with a regular salary now that the country was established and taxes were collected. Orhans [son of Osman, the founder of the Ottoman Empire] capture of Bursa in 1324 provided the first means for developing the administrative, financial, and military power necessary to make this principality into a real state and create an army ( J. F. von Hamer-Pugstall 773). The Janissary Corps were the most awesome force that Europe had contended with for centuries. They were the most fearsome fighters to attack Europe since Gengis Khans Golden Hordes. They fought like well trained animals. Orhan soon was able to capture the remaining Byzantine towns in north- western Antola: Iznik(1331), Izmit(1337), and Uskudar(1338) (J. F. von Hamer-Pugstall 771). -3- Murad conquered Thorace, northwest of Constantinople in 1361. He moved the capital to Adrianople ( J. F. von Hamer-Pugstall 772). The Ottomans were not always expanding by means of war and conquest. They also gained territory through marriage and purchases. Bayezed extended the empire in Europe and added outposts along the Black Sea ( J. F. von Hamer-Pugstall 773). The Ottomans became more powerful and now they added an artillery branch to their Janissary training. Murad then inaugurated the First Venetian Ottoman War (1423-30) ... Venice moreover accepted Solonica to prevent further Ottoman expansion ( J. F. von Hamer-Pugstall 773). Murad had been warning Venice that if it didnt give up Solonica to the Ottomans, it would be forced to go to war with them. Venice at the time had the largest navy and thought it could defeat the Ottomans, who lacked a large navy. So Murad then ordered a grand navy to be built. It was completed within a years time, and t he Ottomans went to war. -4- At first they attacked the harbor cities for 6 years, then they landed the Janissaries and they easily overcame the small Venetian militia. The Ottomans rapidly became a sea power in the eastern Mediterranean (Bossenbrook 504). After the win against Venice Sultan Bayezid